FBAR only filing software

Hello everyone,

This is a great forum! I hope I can contribute to it as much as I get out of it.

I have my first question. I recently switched tax preparation software and have been happy with what my use and find it more cost-effective than my previous software and support is better. There is one thing I didn't think about when I changed, perhaps because it isn't a big part of my business - FBAR filing. My old software came with FBAR filing whereas my new software does not. I don't have that many clients that require an FBAR but for the ones that do it is sufficiently annoying to have to enter everything from scratch on the FINCEN website and file that way. I would like FBAR only software where I can store clients' information and not have to re-enter every year and file the handful of FBAR returns I file more easily, similar to the separate online 1099 filing software I use that is separate from my tax preparation program (client information is stored there and I just enter the 1099 numbers every year for the small numbers of 1099s I prepare).

Anyone know of anything?

Thanks in advance,

Chris Johnson EA

I believe they can be filed via the BSA system. https://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/SupportedForms.html It's been a few years since I did it that way, so I don't have much more than that.

Thanks Webster. Just wish there was some FBAR software out there where I could store my clients' info because my new regular tax prep software doesn't have FBAR compliance.

Hmm. I wonder if Drake Zero or Intuit ProConnect Online allows filing of FBAR? Those are online and strictly pay-per-return. If either of them do file FBAR, that may be a cost-effective way of filing instead of having to use the FinCEN website. I know from my own experience that using the FinCEN website takes much longer than it should.

You can be a 3rd party BSA filer with FINCEN directly, you just need to make an account with them as a professional filer.

At least that was true a few years ago.

It's not as convenient as using tax software, but it's easy enough.

PS: Drake tax software facilitates FBAR filing.

I file FBARs all the time through the BSA system - my tax prep software does not offer direct filing.

To make things easier, I copy and paste the file each year for each client, to the next year, and only change the amounts. It's easy enough.

Which softwares do offer FBAR filing?

Drake does. Very simple to do. Only thing is, you have to file income tax returns then flag it to file FBAR. once you’ve done a couple it becomes quite simple.

ProSeries has this as well. But FBAR filing capability should not be a make it or break it thing to look at; if you don't need software which will be much more expensive, it's not worth it.

Thanks Webster. Just wish there was some FBAR software out there where I could store my clients' info because my new regular tax prep software doesn't have FBAR compliance.

Reach out to the guys at www.FileForms.com. They have a standalone FBAR product that is exactly what you are looking for (ability to store/rollover easily).

I file FBARs all the time through the BSA system - my tax prep software does not offer direct filing.

To make things easier, I copy and paste the file each year for each client, to the next year, and only change the amounts. It's easy enough.

Which softwares do offer FBAR filing?

Intuit ProSeries does as well, but I've switched tax preparation programs and then one I use now doesn't offer it (I had my reasons for switching to the new software though).

Thanks Webster. Just wish there was some FBAR software out there where I could store my clients' info because my new regular tax prep software doesn't have FBAR compliance.

Reach out to the guys at http://www.FileForms.com. They have a standalone FBAR product that is exactly what you are looking for (ability to store/rollover easily).

Excellent! Thank you so much. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, been out of town for some R&R.